Main Street Russellville will host a brainstorming session for this year’s 21st annual Downtown Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff at noon Thursday at the Russellville Depot, 320 W. ‘C’ St.

This informal meeting will provide event organizers the opportunity to discuss new ideas, engage volunteers and plan for this year’s festival. According to the Arkansas Festival Association, the average festival runs off of more than 30,000 volunteer hours from people who hold typical full-time jobs. Without the energy and commitment of volunteers, it would be virtually impossible to conduct most of the events that add so much to the quality of life in our community.

For more information, contact Main Street Russellville at msrsvl@centurytel.net or 967-1437.

Tick borne illness talk to be at state park

Dr. Larry Price will discuss tick borne illnesses in Arkansas and other related topics at 7 p.m. Thursday during the regularly scheduled meeting of the Arkansas Master Naturalists at Lake Dardanelle State Park.

Wildflower to host community Bingo

Wildflower Retirement, located at 240 S. Inglewood Ave., is hosting community bingo for ages 55 and up from 2-3 p.m. Thursday. Door prizes and refreshments will be available.

ACH Benefit Rodeo to be held Saturday

ATKINS The Atkins Riding Club invites everyone to attend a rodeo benefiting Arkansas Children’s Hospital at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Atkins Rodeo Arena. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children and children under 6 are free.

A free boating education course will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center in Russellville. Lunch will be from noon to 1 p.m. A sack lunch is recommended. Soft drinks vending machines will be available.

Basically, boating education is required for all persons born after Jan. 1, 1986. To register, call the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) in Russellville at 967-7577. For more information, call AGFC boating education instructor Lee Fields at 331-0399.